Oil Question here...

[GatorFan]

OK fellas,

I changed my wife's oil in her 4Runner this past weekend and noticed a few things. She has been having her oil changed at the dealer for over 3 years now and they "claim" they have been using Synthetic.

1. When I drained the oil it was the color of freshly brewed coffee (damn near black)

2. The damn filter was on waaaayyyy to tight. It took forever to get it off with a filter wrench.

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic in my truck and the oil is NEVER that dark after 5,000 miles. So my question is, have you guys seen full synthetic turn that color after only 5,000 miles? I know I haven't (at least in my experience).

I wonder if the dealer is using a Synthetic Blend or is BSing her?

Comments?
Thanks guys.

 

[mr_bots]

My oil (Mobil 1) is always close to black when I change it, pretty sure it was the same on the sierra too.

 

[Draenor]

The color of engine oil does not dictate age. It is the absorption of carbon from combustion. How many miles are on the 4runner?

Best bet would to do an oil analysis.

 

[GatorFan]

The color of engine oil does not dictate age. It is the absorption of carbon from combustion. How many miles are on the 4runner?

Best bet would to do an oil analysis.

68,000

 

[daddy]

I say try it and see if it tastes like coffee. If it does, that would explain the color and also give you your answer as to the dealer's honesty.

 

[The_Chupacabra]

I say try it and see if it tastes like coffee. If it does, that would explain the color and also give you your answer as to the dealer's honesty.

 

[Draenor]

The color of engine oil does not dictate age. It is the absorption of carbon from combustion. How many miles are on the 4runner?

Best bet would to do an oil analysis.

68,000

Tough one. At those miles, a mild black is ok. Unless something is wrong and some blow by is getting past the rings.

Still an oil analysis would benefit to see what the conditions of the oil is. Run a change and verify what oil is being put in. Once the next change is due, perform the analysis.


Sent from my overly sofisticated electronic device.

 

[Black02Silverado]

Draenor has pretty much covered it. The color isn't so much the issue. Being black also is a good sign that it is keeping the inside of the engine clean by keeping all the contaminates in suspension and creating sludge. Some of the Toyota engines are considered sludge monsters but the ones in the 4 Runner are not, so that is a good thing.

An oil analysis is the way to go if you are really concerned. More than likely they didn't put a full synthetic in but a blend.

Since you changed it out and put Mobil 1 in, it will be interesting to see the difference in the oil when you change it again. Just curious as to what brand oil filter did you use?

 

[GatorFan]

I say try it and see if it tastes like coffee. If it does, that would explain the color and also give you your answer as to the dealer's honesty.

Only you could think of something like that.

I don't drink coffee so I may send you a sample and have you try it for me

 

[PenguinLTZ]

It will go great with the shit sandwich he is making me